Mountain rescue hero, 62, died after suffering traumatic spinal injuries after ... trends now
A mountain rescue hero who suffered traumatic spinal injuries when he plunged 500ft while trying to save two men breaking lockdown rules has died, an inquest heard.
Christopher Lewis, 62, was left paralysed when he fell around 500ft onto rough steep ground after attempting to assist the wild campers on Red Screes mountain in the Lake District in February 2021.
Cockermouth Coroners court heard Christopher had been part of a mountain rescue team for two years when he got the distress call on the evening of February 6, 2021.
At that time, Britain was in a national lockdown - with the government ordering people to 'stay at home' and not travel to holiday properties.
But even though the campers had broken the rules, Christopher, who was 60 at the time, headed to their position on Red Screes, which is near Ambleside, in bad weather.
Christopher Lewis, 62, died two and a half years after he fell 500ft while trying to rescue campers
The injuries to his spine meant Christopher was wheelchair bound for the rest of his life
Christopher had been a member of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team for two yeas
He was reported missing and was feared to have fallen when other team members reached the campers in the early hours February 7.
And Christopher was eventually discovered at 2:52am by Matt Cox, deputy leader of his Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team (MRT).
He was found to have lost all sensation in his legs, abdomen and lower torso.
The court heard that there were 'slippery patches' on the way up to the casualty site, and Chris was airlifted to the major trauma unit at Royal Preston Hospital.
Christopher was fit and well prior to the fall and was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.
He also had all the necessary equipment required for the rescue mission, the court was told.
Christopher was transferred to the specialist spinal injuries centre at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital on April 14, 2021.
And after a lengthy stay, he was eventually discharged 19 months later on November 23, 2022, and cared for at home by doctors and his wife, Carol.
On September 2, 2023, the court was told Christopher was admitted to Furness General Hospital in Barrow with a chest infection.
Chris never recovered from the injuries he sustained trying to help them in freezing weather in the early hours of the morning
Tragically, he died at the age of 62 with his wife by his side two days later.
Paying tribute to his colleague, Mike Rippon, team leader of Patterdale MRT
